Looking for a Class V Hitch

wkpoor · Oct 15, 2008

Class V on a full size van. You can find all sorts of stuff for trucks but the field is really narrowed for the vans. I'm going to call Putnam tomorrow and see what they have. It looks like from their chart they may actually carry one. I'm currently using the factory one rated at 10,000lbs. Just like my trailer I want to oversize the equipment and under use it. However the hitch just like my old trailer is always on the edge. It has a 1000lb. tongue rating and I've tested that almost everyday. In fact I don't know how people bend their hitches down unless it is from a wreck as I abused my terrible and it still looks normal. Any suggestions on a hitch mfg.?

jsboening · Oct 15, 2008

You must be overloading your van to need a class 5 hitch. To my knowledge there isn't a van made that has the capacity to need a class 5 hitch.

wkpoor · Oct 15, 2008

Vans are the most under rated trucks on the market. The only difference between a 1 ton van and PU is the sheet metal. Unless you need the open box they can be bought several thousands less than a comparable PU. My 3500 Express is rated to pull 10K and I do it regularly with ease. As I stated I want to have a hitch that is over rated on purpose. However I'll probably need to just have the local fab shop build one for me similar to whats on it now but beefed up. And then get a Putnam 15K ball mount. The frame is full box and the current mount is with 8 bolts that the heads where crimped into the frame at the factory.

smitty9266 · Oct 16, 2008

drawtite makes a 10,000lb 2" and a 12,000lb 2 1/2" hitch. you can purchase a 2 1/2 to 2 reducer to use standard draw-bars. Found them on E-trailer (2004 Chevrolet Express Van hitch search by etrailer.com (800)298-8924)

Jeff

Diamondpilot · Oct 16, 2008

That's the hitch I put on all my trucks. I currently have 3 of the 2.5" units. Best hitches I have ever had.

Chris

wkpoor · Oct 16, 2008

Called Putnum today and they make a 15K hitch for the Express Van. Talked to sales about this whole issue and they pretty much agree with me in that why not build everything to the most rigorous specs and then just put the appropriate sticker on it. What hitched really need to be concerned with is tongue load. That is where the real safety issue is. No vehicle can pull the hitch off or bow the cross tube. Their Hitch is for the 2" mount.

Diamondpilot · Oct 16, 2008

Yes, tongue weight can be the problem. I was pulling a boat from the Pitt area to the Indpls area and all was fine. When I got it in my drive and went to unhitch the trailer it had bent the cross tube down and cracked the weld a good 3/4 of the way through. I was very lucky. Safety chains will do no good on a reciver type hitch if things break. Anyway I had the hitch overloaded by about 4K so it was my own fault. I am guessing it had about 1,800# of tongue weight.

I have also seen a few bars and balls bent in my time but have not had it happen to me. You just cant be to careful when you are towing a 1/4 million dollar piece of equipment. Don't skimp anywhere.

Chris

jsboening · Oct 17, 2008

I wonder if this guy had a class V hitch. Just a little humor!

YouTube - Car overload

Builder · Oct 17, 2008

wkpoor said:
Called Putnum today and they make a 15K hitch for the Express Van. Talked to sales about this whole issue and they pretty much agree with me in that why not build everything to the most rigorous specs and then just put the appropriate sticker on it. What hitched really need to be concerned with is tongue load. That is where the real safety issue is. No vehicle can pull the hitch off or bow the cross tube. Their Hitch is for the 2" mount.

I really like my Putnam. I don't pull 20,000lbs behind a pickup like some of the "supertruckers" here, but it pulls a 12K trailer as safe & secure as it could feel.